Emotional testimony at State House hearing on right-to-die bill

Amanda Fakhreddine

Wednesday

Feb 24, 2010 at 12:01 AMFeb 24, 2010 at 12:12 AM

The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard a range of strong opinions about the “death with dignity act,” a proposed bill that would allow terminally ill people to choose to end their own lives. It was filed on behalf of a Stoughton man.

Eileen Lipkind of Stoughton remembers her husband, Al Lipkind, as a “lively guy” who “did not want to be bedridden and have people take care of all his needs.”

True to that philosophy, before Al Lipkin died of stomach cancer in October, he asked Rep. Louis Kafka to file a bill permitting physician-assisted suicide in Massachusetts.

“I’m sure my husband is looking down and watching this very carefully,” Eileen Lipkind said in a phone interview Tuesday, after the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard strong opinions about her late husband’s controversial proposal.

Called the “death with dignity act,” the bill would require that a patient requesting physician-assisted suicide initially ask for approval in writing, go through psychological screening and then verbally request the medication.

Kafka, D-Stoughton, was not present at the hearing due to a sinus infection, but submitted a letter to the committee saying he supported the bill.

Denise Karuth of Florence did testify, wheeling herself to the table to oppose the bill.

“People ask me, ‘Why would a disability activist be opposed to this?’ ” said Karuth, “The movement is based on the fear of loss of control.”

Karuth, who struggled to maintain composure during her testimony, said she believes such a law would make people with disabilities feel like they should die if they couldn’t pay their health insurance or were suffering from abuses.

Joann Vizziello of Wrentham offered her own emotional testimony in favor of the bill.

Vizziello, told the story of Kathy Lawler, whom she used to take care of during her time as a personal care assistant.

Vizziello said Lawler suffered from a degenerative neuromuscular disease.

“The last thing she was able to say to me was, ‘Help me die.’ I did nothing and I have lived with that guilt every day.”

Marie Sturgis, of Scituate, and executive director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, opposes the proposed bill, saying it would make it possible for patients who are mentally competent with terminal illnesses to elect to end their lives through physician-assisted suicide.

“Once we cross the line and we enter into the realm of the assisted suicide, we all become vulnerable,” Sturgis said. “It begins the systematic devaluation of human life.”

Eileen Lipkind acknowledged that the option was not for everyone, but that a choice must be given to people dying of terminal illness.

“It’s an end-stage thing, when they say that there is nothing they can do. It gives them another option,” she said. “When people have cancer, they have no choices. This gives them an opportunity to make their own choice at the end.”

However, Sturgis disagreed.

“No society should ever approve to take their own lives, whether it is using a doctor to help them or doing it themselves,” said Sturgis. “This is not death with dignity – it’s a situation that brings on sadness and sorrow.”

The bill must be approved by the Judiciary Committee before it can go before the full House or Senate for debate and a vote.